Then came the Vitus SM-101
What sets the Vitus apart? First off, within it’s limits, and every component has them, the bass control /transient speed and dynamic impact is the best I have encountered from a solid state amplifier. It is truly astounding, astonishing or just go ahead and make up a word that goes beyond these adjectives to describe the performance those 100 pure Class A watts provide. Every disc I played to evaluate the bass of these amps was transformed. The absence of any coloration, darkening, bloating, spreading of warmth into the mid-bass or lower midrange allowed for intense rhythmic pace and swing. Track one “War Heads” from Extreme’s Three Side to Every Story (A&M31454) explodes after the intro with a kick drum dominated back beat. I have listened to this track at least a thousand times, and I am here to tell you, it has never sounded anything like this. Some amps make it sound big and bold, some make it sound a bit leaner but tighter and drier. The Vitus gets it perfectly balanced. The lower registers are fast, with chest thumping power yet perfectly defined and resonant without the drying out of the drums natural bloom. The interplay with the bass guitar is so perfectly integrated and clear. This is no small task as the recording of the bass line is extremely tight, not to mention the precision and speed with which the bass is played.